MORE than £1.4m will be spent helping the homeless in Oxford this year amid fears more people could end up on the streets.

Oxford City Council has been given £1.04m by the Government to help the city’s most vulnerable people – a 40 per cent increase on last year.

The authority has also ring-fenced £442,279 from its own budget to put towards services, the same amount as last year.

Councillor Joe McManners, board member for community housing and community development, said the money was vital.

He said: “It is great news because, in these uncertain economic times, we are expecting an increase in the number of homeless people.

“The increase in Government funding reflects the good reputation of the homeless network in Oxford.”

He added: “Money will also be spent trying to prevent homelessness by stopping problems before they get to the stage where people find themselves on the street.”

Twenty-two initiatives, including hostels and day centres, will share the cash.

In 2008 – the last available figures – there were 501 homeless claims to the council, with 496 people living in temporary accommodation. Thirteen people were living rough.

In 2003 there were 697 claims, and 1,100 people sleeping rough, but the council fears the total could rise again, with more people ending up homeless in the wake of the recession.

More than £238,000 will be given to the council’s street services and reconnection team, which aims to reduce crime levels connected to homeless people.

About £10,000 has been provided to buy more severe weather beds across hostels.

And £25,000 has been put aside for a mental health worker at Luther Street and £34,223 for an alcohol worker at O’Hanlon House hostels.

The Gatehouse, which is to move to new premises in the parish rooms behind St Giles Church, in Woodstock Road, was given £9,502.

Director Andrew Smith said: “We are delighted with the money. We’re glad to see that our work is being valued and that the council has done everything in its powers to protect what we do.”

O’Hanlon House chief executive Lesley Dewhurst said: “We are very pleased that the council continues to be very supportive of our work.”

In December, the council was praised by the Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate and given £120,000 for its work helping people living on the streets.